Air Quality Forecast

View today's air quality forecast for your local area.

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Air Quality Forecast Data Explained

AQI stands for air quality index. Color indicates level of local air pollution and PM2.5 particulates in the air. This data can vary hour by hour and day by day.

How is Air Quality Forecast Data Retrieved

AQI data, temperature, humidity, and air quality forecast data is retrieved through sensors and monitors placed throughout the world.

Air Quality Index

What is Air Quality Index (AQI)?

Air Quality Index is number value from the EPA ranging from 0-500 that relates to air pollution and health concern with a higher number indicating increased levels of airborne hazards.

What is a healthy Air Quality Index?

A healthy Air Quality Index is a "good" AQI rating in the range of 0-50 with a PM2.5 concentration of 12 µg/m3 or less per the EPA. 

How is Air Quality Index measured?

Air Quality Index is measured by networks of monitors that
record the concentrations of the major pollutants at
more than a thousand locations across the country each
day. These raw measurements are then converted into
AQI values using standard formulas developed by EPA.

Air Quality Index meaning.

The Air Quality Index meaning,  abbreviated AQI, is a rating the EPA gives for the level or air pollutants in a particular area such as a city or region. 

 

What is air pollution?

Air pollution is any mixture of solid particles and gases in the air. The EPA sets the Air Quality Index rating based on the 5 major air pollutants which are:

  • ground-level ozone
  • particle pollution (also known as particulate matter, including PM2.5 and PM10)
  • carbon monoxide
  • sulfur dioxide
  • nitrogen dioxide

What are air pollution causes?

The EPA lists 5 major air pollutants for which the Air Quality Index is rating which are: 

  • Ground-level Ozone
  • Particle Pollution (also known as particulate matter, including PM2.5 and PM10)
  • Carbon Monoxide
  • Sulfur Dioxide
  • Nitrogen Dioxide

Additionally, air pollution is caused from other sources including:

  • Natural Causes
  • Dust & Wildfires
  • Animals & Vegetation
  • Volcanic Activity
  • Fossil-Fuel Emissions
  • Agriculture and Animal Husbandry
  • Waste

What is the average US Air Quality rating?

The average US Air Quality Index rating is around 40. For comparison, the worst Air Quality average in 2020 was Hotan, China with an rating of 110.2.

View popular Air Quality Forecast in major cities throughout the United States below.

Air Quality Forecast Bay Area

View the air quality forecast in the Bay Area including temperature and humidity. In 2020, the Bay Area had some of the worst Air Quality due to wildfires.

Air Quality San Diego

View the air quality forecast for San Diego, California. In 2020 San Diego ranked 5th worst polluted city in the US with an average AQI of 63. 

Air Quality Map of the US

View the current air quality map of the United States.  Click to show ozone and PM2.5 and PM10 levels of pollution. The air quality map can also be moved to view a particle state or area such as California. 

What should you do when the air quality forecast is bad in your area?

When the air quality index for your local area is bad, you should try to (safely) avoid breathing outdoor air as much as is reasonably possible.

Short term exposure to poor air quality is usually fine for most human beings however those who are more sensitive it’s a good idea to have a high-filtering face mask available.

We recommend using the 4C Air BreSafe Masks because they protect against harmful airborne contaminants and is also paper thin. It’s easily stored (even in a wallet) for bad air days.  Here are our tops tips for protecting yourself against bad air quality days. 

bad air quality and smog in a large city

Tips to protect your from bad air quality and unhealthy air.

  • Wear a face mask capable of filtering PM2.5 particles (N95, KN95, or <95% PFE). You can find some quality masks here. 
  • Stay indoors with closed windows and recirculated air. Make sure your air filter is good quality and clean.
  • Use a HEPA air purifier to clean the air indoors. Be cautious though as systems that are able to make a big enough impact are usually quite expensive. 
  • Stay informed and up to date with local weather data or view the local air quality forecast section above.